| fashion questions |
| and answers |
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anthropologie - summer 2004 |
 We thank New York Fashion writer Amanda Mandelli for having written our fashion articles for two years. However, Amanda has now gone on to bigger and better things, and we wish her well.
Meanwhile, we are looking for a local fashion writer, someone who would like to attain some not inconsiderable prominence in the greater Victoria area - even become a fashion maven, perhaps - and share her acute fashion sense with the lively folk of our fair city. |
| Fashion Questions
with Amanda Mandelli |
Hi Amanda!
I have a bit of a summer issue....my work requires stockings to be worn with skirts -- all year round!!!
It's not a big deal in the fall/winter because I can get away with off-black or tights. But what should I do
in the summer?? Is it okay to wear nude (or more like a suntan color) hose?? I know they're so matronly...
but I don't know what other options I have at this point!!!! Please help!!!!
Sincerely,
Summer Issue
Dear Summer Issue,
It is ok to wear nude hose, and they do not have to always be matronly. Go to your local department store’s hosiery section and browse around, I think you will be shocked to find all of the options you actually have. Hosiery made a huge comeback this previous fall and winter. This has inspired hosiery companies to come up with creative ideas for spring and summer. You can buy flesh coloured fishnets, patterned, seamed, and anything else you could possibly want as far as hosiery is concerned. If you can’t find anything that you feel fits your lifestyle, then I would just stick with a very sheer, basic nude colour.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
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Dear Amanda,
I just purchased a beautiful white leather blazer, but I need help with how best to wear it. (I'm very slim, 5'5" and 115 pounds). I favour monochromatic sleeveless scoop neck shirts underneath and straight-leg pants but I'm confused as to colours. What colour combinations will work best with a white blazer?
Thank you so much,
Lynda, Ottawa
Dear Lynda,
You have so many possibilities! A white blazer would look great over basic jeans and a black shell, or paired with black pants and a white shell for a stark contrast. Then you could throw on some coloured jewelry to take it up a notch. It would look fantastic with all of the citrus colours that have come up for the spring and summer season. It would look beautiful with fuchsia, yellow, orange, you name it! It’s going to be hard to go wrong with this great fashion choice you have made!
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Amanda,
I would like to know if a guest at a wedding can wear a white skirt? I just bought a black striped shirt and it seems like the only choice to go with it!
From Lucette
Dear Lucette,
I do not recommend that you wear the white skirt. While fashion rules have changed so much over the last few years, I am not sure that etiquette rules have. Although a guest wearing white usually cannot take away from the beauty of the bride, it is still very much a rule of our society. Would it be possible to wear a black skirt with the shell that you have? If not I would save this outfit for another occasion.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Amanda,
I am 49 and weigh about 195 lbs. My son is getting married July 10. I bought a black gown that has a black and white top with a black and white jacket that goes over it. The jacket is about 5 inches below my waist. My question is my jewelry selection. Should a wear something simple on my neck (gown has scoop neckline) or should I wear something bold like a choker? I am broad in the shoulders so I want to make the top of myself not look so large. Also should I wear my hair up or down? My hair is about shoulder length. I don't want to look like a football player.
PLEASE HELP
Dear Please Help,
If your goal is to slim down your top, you should without question wear minimal jewelry. I would go with a simple necklace, not a choker, as chokers tend to cut us off and draw attention to the top half of our bodies. I would lean toward black and silver jewelry that is not at all heavy. You should probably wear your hair up because it seems to me that when getting it done professionally, hairdressers do tend to give that "football helmet" look when they style it down. I hope all goes well.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Amanda,
I'm going out for my birthday to an event that requires a cocktail dress. I have a hard enough time finding jeans and I need a dress fast. I'm only 5'1 and I'm pear shaped, small on top but I have a butt and ample proportion of thighs and hips. I also had a baby in February, so my stomach isn't tight either. I want to look sexy and not fat. Can you help!!!
Shannon
Dear Shannon,
| When in doubt, wear black! A cocktail dress no longer has to be extremely dressy (sequins, beads, etc…). You can go with a basic black sheath that will curve in slightly at the waist. This will accentuate your curves, but will not be extremely tight, so you will not feel uncomfortable. |
neiman marcus - summer 2004 |
neiman marcus - summer 2004 |
If you wear black then you can wear a great pair of coloured sandals or stilettos, and the heels should really be about three inches. This will make you appear taller and slimmer instantly. |
| I would then add some cute, funky jewelry that will also dress it up a bit, but you will also look very fashionable. I have selected a few pictures to help. |
neiman marcus - summer 2004 |
Be sure and wear some sort of body sculptor (Victoria's Secret or Spanx) underneath so that you will not have any panty lines, and the dress will fit better. This will also help to make your stomach look great in that dress.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
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Dear Amanda,
My brother is getting married in July and my mother has chosen a tea length dress that is light taupe in color and has a minimal amount of beading on the front. The dress also has a long sleeve jacket; both are made of polyester crepe. The wedding is indoors and is at 3:00pm.
Our question is about shoes and stockings. We have been given several different opinions! She has found a great pair of shoes; however they are open toe and heel (what I call a 'Barbie' shoe). I say she cannot wear hose with that kind of shoe. Please help us! If hose are worn, does the shoe need to be closed toe and heel?
Thanks!! A Mother and Sister of the Groom!
Dear Mother and Sister of the Groom,
If the shoes are open-toe, she does not need to wear panty hose. However, she can wear hose if they are
closed-toe and sling back. If your mother is self-conscious about not wearing panty hose, I would suggest that she wear a pair of pumps, so that she will not have to worry about this. She also really should wear heels, I assume her dress is slightly dressy and her outfit is not going to look completely put together if she doesn't wear heels.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
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Allright - here's your chance to have
your fashion questions answered by a cosmopolitan, dyed in the wool fashion expert - so ask away :)
amanda@salescene.com
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